Kozhikode: In a bid to promote the flood-hit tourism sector, tour operators from across the country and abroad have visited key tourist spots in Kerala. Their visit comes as a follow-up of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) held in Kochi last month. The 10th edition of KTM was held from September 27 to 30 on Willington Island, Kochi. Nearly 2,000 tour operators had attended the largest expo of its kind in the state.
Around 60 tour operators from outside Kerala as well as abroad, arrived in Wayanad this week. The operators from Russia, Germany, Japan, US, and Malaysia were joined by the domestic tour operators from Delhi, Hyderabad, Gujarat, and Punjab. Wayanad District Tourism Council has said that the locations that suffered damage in recent flood were repaired and reconstructed. The task before them is to ensure the tourists and convince them at the earliest.
A bullet rally to create awareness among the neighbouring states that the district is safe for travel, was held recently. Twenty-five riders rode from Pookode lake to tourist destinations Mysuru, Ooty, and Coimbatore in the campaign titled 'gratitude ride.'
Apart from the tourist spots, the operators will visit tribal hamlets and villages in Wayanad, said the officials. Food and accommodation for the visiting tour operators are free, they added. The DTPC is expecting that the tour operators would be able to alleviate the fears of tourists once they go back and present a positive view.
Travel agents from across the country and abroad visited Thekkadi in Idukki district in a post-mart tour a few days ago. The post mart tour was organised by Thekkadi destination promotion council, merchants' unions and homestays here. The two-day event included farm tour, rallies, and cultural programmes. A media meet titled 'Explorer Thekkadi', was also held after the campaign.
